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The purpose of this thesis is to offer an insight into student activities and examine how vol-unteering in positions of trust during higher education studies affects the volunteer in working life context. Several student activities exist in each Finnish universities of applied of sciences (UAS) and these activities are in most cases directed and managed by students. However, the topic of volunteering in positions of trust has not been examined in detail, especially from the working life point of view.

The topic was inspected by first, reviewing literature surrounding the subject and determining the most common positions of trust existing in the UAS environment. On the second phase of thesis project, the author conducted semi-structured interviews with experienced national level student volunteers and based on the literature review and interview findings, created an online questionnaire for past and present volunteers to answer. The number of responses exceeded the author’s expectations and the respondents represents a large and diverse sample.

The key findings the thesis suggest that the respondents have gained a positive effect on their working life attributes from the volunteering activities. Moreover, the volunteer period has been especially beneficial for the development the respondents’ soft skills.

The results of the thesis may be helpful for UAS staff as they might gain detailed information what the positions of trust are how they may be helpful for students. Students themselves may finally gain primary data concerning the topic and no longer need to rely on rumors and private conversations. In addition, students gain knowledge about how to use arguments concerning positions of trust in a job interview, for instance.